canada

Product Safety Legislation in Canada

Posted by Rehan Khalil on December 6, 2009   |   No Comments

The most recent crib recall has been the last straw. Soon there might be product safety legislation in Canada.

Many in Canada might be unaware that there are no safety requirements for manufacturers to comply with. Companies are not required by law to inform the public about a potential hazard. Finally, the government of Canada does not have the power to impose a mandatory recall because it’s up to the company.

Bill C-6 is designed to be tougher legislation to protect Canadians and empower the government with the ability to issue mandatory recalls. The Bill passed with ease in the House of Commons and is now before the Senate. It’s time Canada modernized its product safety legislation and brought it in line with the United States and Europe.

The Toronto Star reported on the matter here.

Post to Twitter

Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

New Standards for Canadian Poultry Industry

Posted by Rehan Khalil on October 10, 2009   |   No Comments

A new national standard has been launched by Canada’s Food Inspection Agency announced October 6, 2009 regarding the poultry industry for the safety of animals and Canada’s food supply.

The press release states:

The National Avian On-Farm Biosecurity Standard focuses on disease prevention and protection measures, collectively known as biosecurity which play an important role in keeping diseases off the farm and out of the Canadian food chain.

“Biosecurity is the best investment producers can make to safeguard the health of their animals on the farm and make the most of their business,” said Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “This national standard will guide producers on good biosecurity practices so that together we can protect Canada’s poultry industry against disease.”

A few examples of on-farm biosecurity practices include:

  • Washing your hands and changing into clean clothes and footwear before and after coming into contact with your animals.
  • Routinely cleaning barns, pens, feeders and watering equipment and disinfecting them when necessary.
  • Controlling visitor access to your animals.

Post to Twitter

Tagged , , , ,

More About Bisphenol A (BPA)

Posted by Rehan Khalil on October 7, 2009   |   No Comments

By now you have probably heard a lot about Bisphenol A (BPA). BPA is a chemical used in the production of polycarbonate plastic and exposy resins.

According to Health Canada:

Polycarbonate is used in food contact materials such as beverage bottles, infant feeding bottles, food containers, processing equipment and other articles. BPA is often found in clear hard plastics and can be in the lining of some food cans.

According to Toxic Nation:

Bisphenol A is a hormone disruptor. Studies have linked low-dose BPA exposure with such effects as: permanent changes to genital tract; increase prostate weight; decline in testosterone; breast cells predisposed to cancer; prostate cells more sensitive to hormones and cancer; hyperactivity and obesity.

Since 2008 Canada has been the first country in the world to recognize the serious health hazards posed by BPA. As a result, the Canadian government considers BPA toxic under the Canada Environmental Protection Act 1999.

Subsequent reports regarding BPA have been investigated by the government. Since, newborn infants are most at risk this summer, June 26, 2009 the:

Government of Canada announced that it is moving forward with proposed regulations to prohibit the advertisement, sale and importation of polycarbonate plastic baby bottles that contain bisphenol A, otherwise known as BPA, to reduce newborn and infant exposure to this substance.

What is Health Canada doing about the problem? Click here.

Post to Twitter

Tagged , , , , , , , ,

Possibly carcinogenic chemical considered not toxic by Canada

Posted by Rehan Khalil on September 24, 2009   |   No Comments

shampooAccording to the Montreal Gazette the Canadian government has found that the chemical known as 1,4-dioxane, is not toxic.

Despite, the fact that The International Agency for Research on Cancer lists 1,4-dioxane as “possibly carcinogenic to humans” and California’s Prop 65 identifies it as a chemical known to cause cancer and the European Commission identify it as a Category 3 carcinogen as found on Toxic Nation.

The Gazette also reported, “”All data indicated the trace amounts Canadians may be exposed to through inhalation and skin absorption are several thousand times lower than levels at which health effects occur in laboratory animals,” Health Canada said in a backgrounder.”

The chemical is often found in products used by children such as shampoo. Exposure to the chemical has been linked to, “tumors of the liver, gallbladder, nasal cavity, lung, skin, and breast.

According to Toxic Nation:

The U.S.-based Campaign for Safe Cosmetics conducted testing of children’s bath products available in North America for 1,4-dioxane. They found it in 32 of 48 products. It is also likely an impurity in 22% or more of the 25,000 products in the Environmental Working Group’s.

Post to Twitter

Tagged , ,

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day

Posted by Rehan Khalil on September 9, 2009   |   No Comments

September 9 is International Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day, which presents all Canadians with an opportunity to consider the risks, consequences, and life-long challenges associated with drinking alcohol during pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an umbrella term used to describe a range of disabilities that may affect children of mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy. The affected children may experience a range of cognitive, medical, physical, and mental health challenges throughout their lifetimes.

Post to Twitter

Tagged , , ,
Page 1 of 212